Abdominal supporter.



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ABDOMINAL SUPPORTBR.

PPLIGATION H LBD snr'r. 21, 190s.

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EDWARD FEATHERSTON SLIALL, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOWILLIS E. RAGAN, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

ABDOIVIINAL SUPPORTER.

Application filed September 21, 1908. Serial No. 453,911.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD FEATHERSTON SMALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State ofGeorgia, have invented a new and useful Abdominal Supporter, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to abdominal supporters.

The object of the invention is to provide an article of this characterthat shall be ycomfortable in use, and that shall combine, in a novel,practical and thoroughly efhcient manner, the features of an abdominalsuporter and an external uterine, umbilical and femoral hernia andlaceration sustainer, and that shall be a positive preventive againstand cure for prolapsus, anteversion and retroversion of the uterus.

Vith the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the natureof the invention is better' understood, the same consists, generallystated in an abdominal supporter consisting of a shield, approximatelytriangular in perimetrical contour, and suitably braced and stiifened byappropriately disposed fleXible longitudinal stays. At the two uppercorners of the shield are attached the two members of a body belt, andwith each belt member is slidably connected the Aupper end of an elasticperineal strap, the lower end of each of which is provided with onemember of a fastener, the other member of each of which is secured tothe shield adjacent to its lower end. These straps are crossed anddetachably secured together at such point adjacent to their lower ends,that when positioned upon the wearer, the intersecting parts will restbetween the rectum and the vulva. Secured to the intersecting portion ofthe straps is a pad, of any suitable material, and which is shaped toconform to the vulva, thus to exert an inward pressure as well as anupward lift against the vagina, and cause its back wall to bear againstits front wall. As the latter wall under these conditions will restagainst the pubic bone, the vagina is held closed and thus forces theuterus back and retains it in its normal position, as it will reposeupon the walls of the canal in natural posture.

As a matter of further and specific imwith the lower end of the shieldan apron that is designed to cover the vulva and be l held in positionthereagainst by the pad. This apron will preferably be constructed ofsoft leather, to avoid friction and discomfort when worn, and mayreadily be detached from the shield for purposes of cleansing.

The perineal straps are, as stated, slidably connected with thebody-strap and are also longitudinally adjustable independently of eachother, thus to insure the proper adjustment of the pad. The shield isprovided with means for connection with ordinary hose supporters, thusto increase its utility.

The invention consists further in the various novel details ofconstruction and combination of parts of an abdominal supporter, as willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like characters of reference indicate corresponding partsFigure l is a view of the upper portion of a woman, displaying thesupporter as it appears when positioned in use. Fig. 9. is a perspectiveview of the supporter detached. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view of aportion of the shield, with the vulva apron connected therewith. Fig. Ais a detail view, displaying the position occupied by the pad on theperineal straps.

The shield l is a multiple structure of approximately triangular form,and between the plies of the fabric of which are secured longitudinallydisposed stays or reinforces 2 of any suitable resilient material. Thestays, as shown in Fig. l, converge toward the apex of the shield inorder to dispose the least yielding portion at the point desired, namelyat the vulva. The upper corners 3 of the shield have secured to them thetwo members 4 of the body-belt, the latter being preferably non-elastic.One of the members carries a buckle 5 provided with a tongue 6 to engagean eye or ring 7 carried by the other member to hold the belt securedaround the body of the wearer. Mounted upon each of the members A is aslide 8 each of which carries a buckle 9, and each of these buckles isengaged by the upper end of an elastic perineal strap 10 the lower endof each of which has secured to it the eye member ll of a clasp orfastening device, the hook or supporters 17 accidental disconnectionwhen the supporter is positioned. The two straps 10 are crossed and aredetachably secured together near their lower ends by an ordinaryglove-fastener 13. The point of connection of the two straps will be socalculated as to bring it between the rectum and the vulva, and thusavoid any inconvenience in use. The straps have detachably secured tothem, at their point of intersection, a pad 14 which will be shaped tocorrespond to the walls of the vulva. This pad may be constructed of anymaterial suited to the purpose, and when used will bear against a vulvaapron 15, preferably of soft leat-her, that is detachably connected withthe shield by glove-fasteners 16, in order to permit of its readyremoval for purposes of cleansing.

As a matter of further improvement and to increase the utility of thearticle, hose may be detachably connected therewith. j

As will be apparent, whenthe article is worn merely as an abdominalsupporter, the vulva apron and pad may be detached.

In positioning the supporter, the buckle of the body-belt is firstadjusted to render the belt at once comfortable and also suficientlytight to prevent slipping. The slide buckles should then be adjusted onthe belt to rest back of the hips in order to insure comfort. rllheperineal straps are then passed under the thighs, and the eye of theright perineal strap is hooked o'n kthe left handV stud and the eye ofthe left perineal strap on the right hand stud. When the pad and vulvaapron are used, care must be observed to position these parts relativelyto the vulva before securing the perineal straps. To secure the desireduplift and pressure,

the thumb is placed on one of the slides 8,

and the upper end of the strap is drawn' down to open the buckle 9, andthe strap is the-n drawn upward until the required tension isfsecured,and the buckle clasp is then secured. The same procedure is observedwith the other perineal strap.

For treating inguinal, femoral or umbil# ical hernias, one of the padsis placed un'- der the shield and immediately over the rupture. Inpractice, the shield will be large enough to cover the entire bowels inconnection with the vulva apron,.and the latter will prevent theperineal straps from working into the mouth of the vulva, thus renhavingtheir upper ends slidably connected Y with theY belt, and having attheir opposite ends means for attachment with the shield, a paddetachably connected with the straps at their points of intersection,and a vulvar apron detachably connected with the shield at a pointbetween the end thereof and the 'points of attachment of the strapstherewithVV and disposed over the straps and extending from the shieldtoward the pad. In testimony that I claim the'foregoing as my own, Ihave heretoaflixed my. signature Y inthe presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD FEATHERSTON SMALL. llitnesses: Y

MARCELLUS M. ANDERSON, IVM. ROBINSON.

